Arrow McLaren isn’t resting after the 2024 IndyCar season finale in Nashville. Despite winning three races with Pato O’Ward and showing flashes of competitiveness, the team’s results fell short compared to heavyweights like Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske. Determined to bridge the gap, team principal Gavin Ward has spearheaded a sweeping reorganization aimed at capturing the elusive NTT IndyCar Series championship.
The restructuring sees Tony Kanaan promoted to deputy team principal, taking on many of Ward’s day-to-day responsibilities, allowing Ward—an experienced race engineer with Team Penske and a former Formula 1 technical expert—to focus on refining the team’s performance. Kanaan’s expanded role is a nod to his deep competitive experience and ability to connect with sponsors and partners, key assets in Arrow McLaren’s strategy to build a winning culture.
“Tony’s energy and competitive spirit have been invaluable,” Ward said. “He’s not just great with partners—his racing acumen and connections are unmatched. Making him my right-hand man was an obvious choice to help distribute the load.”
New Hires and Promotions Bolster McLaren’s Quest
In addition to Kanaan’s promotion, Arrow McLaren has made strategic hires and internal promotions to solidify its operations. Brad O’Brien joins as VP of finance and business, while Lauren Gaudion, promoted earlier to VP of marketing and communications, continues to take on greater responsibilities within the team.
One of the more notable hires is Scott Harner, a veteran with championship pedigree from his time with Chip Ganassi Racing. Harner will manage race operations, including logistics and overseeing the shop floor. His extensive experience is expected to be a game-changer in fine-tuning McLaren’s race-day execution.
“Scott’s been there, done that, and has seen what it takes to win,” Ward explained. “His insights into managing a large operation like ours are critical, and his addition means I can stay focused on where I add the most value—getting the cars faster and refining our race strategy.”
Kyle Sagan, brought in to elevate pit stops, has been promoted to deputy chief mechanic, working closely under Chris Stafford, the newly appointed crew chief responsible for all three Arrow McLaren entries. Stafford’s F1 background and hands-on experience with Indy 500 winner Kyle Larson have been pivotal in his rise within the team.
Ongoing Staff Expansion and Key Promotion for Kate Gundlach
The team isn’t done yet; more personnel changes are in the pipeline as new hires await clearance from their previous employers. A standout among these is Kate Gundlach, currently O’Ward’s performance engineer and a champion with Ganassi Racing. She’s set to become a race engineer in 2025, likely on Nolan Siegel’s No. 6 Chevy, in what Ward describes as a well-deserved promotion.
“She’s been the best performance engineer in pit lane for years,” Ward said of Gundlach. “Our goal is to support her every step of the way as she transitions to a race engineer role. I’m committed to making her the most formidable engineer on the grid.”
Building a Championship Culture
The changes at Arrow McLaren are about more than just personnel—they’re about cultivating a winning culture. Ward emphasized that the goal is to create a cohesive, high-performance team environment that mirrors the success seen at top-tier rivals.
“We’re moving past the firefighting phase of last season,” Ward noted. “With the right people in place, we’re focusing on performance, execution, and building a team that’s not just competitive but championship-caliber.”
As Arrow McLaren looks ahead to 2025, the sweeping changes and renewed focus are clear signals that the team is aiming high. With a strengthened leadership structure, key promotions, and strategic hires, Arrow McLaren is putting all the pieces in place to make a serious run at the NTT IndyCar Series championship.
